Quds city, Dec 1, SPA -- Egypt's foreign minister and Israel's prime minister on Wednesday discussed the terms of a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit was also expected to tell Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that Syria is ready to resume peace talks with Israel. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met Tuesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Sharon told Aboul Gheit at the beginning of the meeting that his visit would "strengthen relations between the countries and help advance the peace process in the region," Sharon's office said in a statement. The talks, focused on the Gaza withdrawal, come at a "critical time for the peace and stability for the Middle East," Aboul Gheit said before he met his Israeli counterpart, Silvan Shalom. The Egyptians and Israelis are trying to find a way to revive the internationally backed "road map" peace plan, Aboul Gheit said. The plan calls for an end to violence and resumption of final-status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian. "We are hopeful that this visit ... will contribute to a better environment and will push the peace process forward," Aboul Gheit said. Aboul Gheit was also expected to deliver a message from Syria about the renewal of peace talks.
